VH1.com To Feature Yahoo! Search and Contextual Advertising
NEW YORK, Aug. 23 - Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) announced today that it has entered into a multi-year search marketing and Web search distribution agreement with Yahoo!. Under the terms of the agreement, which were not disclosed, Yahoo! will provide multiple search marketing and Web search services to Viacom's online properties, including BET.com, CBSNews.com, CMT.com, MTV.com, NickJr.com, SHO.com (Showtime Online) and VH1.com.
"Joining forces with Yahoo!, one of the leaders in search marketing, enables us to deliver an even richer, more relevant online experience to our audience," said Peter Glusker, Senior Vice President of Viacom Digital Media Group. "Because our sites appeal to audiences across various demographics and provide a wide range of features and services, it's important to work with a provider with a breadth of offerings. Yahoo! offers the flexibility, support and customized solutions we need for our sites."
Through Yahoo! Search(TM), Viacom will be able to provide users with high-quality, comprehensive site and Web search results. At the same time, Yahoo!'s search marketing products will allow Viacom to enhance its sites with relevant advertising and enable marketers to reach visitors at Viacom's online properties who are searching for, or are interested in, their products and services. Sponsored Search from Yahoo! Search Marketing lists targeted, text-based ads in search results. Content Match complements the Sponsored Search program by displaying site listings alongside relevant articles, product reviews and more.
CBSNews.com and BET.com currently feature Sponsored Search listings, Content Match contextual advertising listings, as well as site and Web search powered by Yahoo! Search. In addition, CMT.com, MTV.com, SHO.com and VH1.com display Sponsored Search listings and Content Match. NickJr.com also features Content Match.
Content from CBS News, CMT: Country Music Television and MTV is also available on Yahoo!'s Video Search(TM), a tool that directs users to free online video content.
About the Sites
BET.com is the leading Internet portal for African-Americans. CBSNews.com is the 24-hour on-demand extension of the No. 1 broadcast network. CMT.com, featuring interactive components, mobile offerings and original content, is the most comprehensive country music destination on the Web. MTV.com, which features original content, convergent shows, entertainment news and broadband video, is consistently ranked the No. 1 music content site. NickJr.com, the No. 1 site for parents of young children, provides hundreds of games, do-together activities, as well as video for parents and preschools, in addition to distributing mobile offerings. SHO.com is the official fan site for Showtime, featuring exclusive video content, mobile offerings, robust message communities, added value information on original series and theatricals and more. VH1.com, attracting 45% additional unique users year-to-date over 2004's record levels, offers innovative music and pop culture convergent programming. Viacom's sites reach an audience of more than 37 million unique monthly visitors, according to comScore (July 2005).
About Viacom
Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music, and comedy. Viacom's well-known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET, Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, King World, Spike TV, Showtime, Paramount Parks, and Simon & Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com.
